Organiser's Report - 2009

There really are no new words to say about the weather GCF ‘enjoys’ every year!

After heavy rain all day and over night on the Friday, Saturday’s morning gate was very disappointing for everyone and then the Parachutes had to cancel for safety reasons. Ever the optimist Jane jumped on the Big wheel to get a wee bit closer to the clouds and frighten them away and by lunchtime the sun was shining and people began to arrive.

The spectacular air display by Jim McTaggart in his VT10 at 2pm soon lifted spirits and the arrival of the Dangleberries at 3pm added some lively music to the event. The crowds spent well  and participated in events and enjoyed the sunshine (if only it had arrived earlier!)
 
Sarge and the team had the usual unseen weather related problems of flooding ditches and the footbridge to the clay shoot washing away due to the sudden rise in the river levels but all these were remedied and Duncan ran a shuttle service with a pick up stop in the car park– yet another 5am start on Sunday for the team with tractor digger and waders the bridge was soon rectified and meant everything was fine.

Sunday’s drizzle cleared slowly and the crowds began to arrive  - its was a really busy day with the stick show, hound, terrier and the relaunch of the lurcher show, as well as Red Arrow display all taking place. The Trybe from Stonehaven played some wonderful music and the fair had a great atmosphere, with people being able to walk round as most of the ground was sound but the youngsters could find the wet spots to enjoy some good old traditional GCF mud!

Most of the traders who had travelled from all over the UK (see map) were delighted with the business done over the weekend with many reporting record takings – one stand who comes from the Midlands and has been to every GCF said it may always rain but he does more business at GCF with the fantastic crowd that at any other event!

Through out the weekend the have a go events proved popular with archery, axe throwing and bodging at the pole lathe, falconry ferret, fishing and gundog scurry all being most entertaining. The relaunch of the Lurcher show alongside the terriers worked well and there are plans to expand this further in 2010. The cooking demos also kept the food hall packed and with cries for more seating and extra chefs it looks like larger marquee required! The craft tent was a little empty as 5 traders who had paid just didn’t turn up, so spaces allocated were not used (this is a huge problem to us and something we can’t control, so apologies to crafters and visitors).

Traditional events and usual sayings could be seen and heard like ‘when will it stop raining?’  ‘the show must go on’ ‘keep on the roads’ but the most used phrase of 2009 has to be ‘weren’t they fantastic’ said by 100's and 100's of people as the Red Arrows finished their breathtaking display!

We hope you enjoyed GCF. IF we could alter the weather we would, all the hard work and effort that goes in by so many over before, during and after the event a ‘wee bit of sunshine’ would be just perfect! Maybe 2010!?!?